Minnesota Vikings: Five Best and Worst Drafts from the Past Decade

The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of needs heading into 2011. Drafting players throughout every round to fill holes and be the style of players Leslie Frazier wants is instrumental in the continued success of this franchise.

With no free agency, they will essentially be drafting in the dark. Every year is important when drafting players, but this year it is magnified.

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane to see how the Vikings have fared at landing a “Super Draft Class."

Ryan Cook could have been had as late as the sixth round, and Tavaris Jackson could have been picked up as an undrafted free agent—but then-coach Brad Childress traded up to get them both with second-round picks.

Ray Edwards was a steal in round four, if only they could have been as savvy with Cook and Jackson.

Greg Blue was a seventh rounder and flashed promise for a while before going away.

No. 4: 2009 (Best)

Percy Harvin is undoubtedly a star, both on offense and special teams.

Phil Loadhalt is at an interesting time in his career. If he is given another chance at right tackle, he had better play with effort. He is most likely going to be moved to the guard position. If he fails there too, he can go down as a bust, considering he was a second-round selection.

Asher Allen is a decent rotational corner, a good tackler.

Jasper Brinkley showed a lot of promise filling in for Henderson in 2009, a good value pick in the fifth round.

No. 4: 2004 (Worst)

Kenechi Udeze came to the draft with some injury concerns but with amazing potential and one-year wonder numbers (Da’Quan Bowers?). After putting up a season with zero sacks, despite starting the entire year and having several other opportunities, the Vikings began to search elsewhere.

Dontarrious Thomas was starting to become a solid starter for Minnesota but opted to take more money with another team and hasn’t been heard from since.

Darrion Scott was the leader in sacks one year with 5.5. He began to entertain the idea that he was better than the money offered by the Vikings, but he also hasn’t been heard from in a while.

Mewelde Moore saves this draft. He was a great third-down back for the Vikings and has enjoyed a great run in Pittsburgh backing up Rashard Mendenhall.

These players did well for Minnesota while they accepted a smaller role; it wasn’t a terrible draft.